C A S E S T U D Y

Signage for Schools & Education Facilities

Signs & Lines have produced numerous examples of So what at the key facets of your school's signage

static and digital signage for education over the over the strategy? How can well designed signage enhance

last 20 years and we're often asked what the most both the student experience and the look and feel of

important factors to consider. your facility?

In the past, signs were often an afterthought to school Making a Big Splash - What Signs are design, and too often they still are. Important?

In days gone by, when architects were not always friendly A clear 'identity' sign, whether on the side of the building

to signage, there was a tendency of style over substance. or pylon signage on the ground, should be at key

Architects typically wanted their building to look attractive, entrances of the school. The next most important visual

and were afraid that signage would be a distraction. Fast element is the informational sign at the point of most road

forward to the 21st century, government and building and foot traffic passing the school. Today's digital options

regulations and safety protocols now require public are ideal for this type of signage as they are flexible,

environments to follow strict guidelines to keep everyone responsive to change and can announce all the upcoming

as safe as possible. Sadly, the result can be that signs events ranging from athletic games to club meetings,

are then often put up in an uncoordinated and ad hoc auctions, fundraisers and the like.

manner, which, ironically, results in a sense of clutter that

does detract from the aesthetics of the facility. Messages can easily be expanded to allow the schools to

get a point across about almost anything, security issues

School signage should definitely be integrated into the would be an example of how this highly responsive

planning and design process early, and should signage medium can inform to a wide audience.

encompass brand reinforcement, wayfinding and

regulatory, as well as specialty signs. New schools in

Western Australia are thankfully being developed with a

new focus on both style and substance – which is

reassuring for the youth of today!

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Signage for Schools &Educational Facilities

Wayfinding & Information Signage Statutory Signage

Perhaps the most important signage greeting the person Tactile or braille signs are required for the visually

entering the school is the directory or wayfinding impaired. There are many regulations that our team can

information. This indicates the what? Where? How? Of the advise on to ensure that the size, location, height and

school. What? ie. a building, space, hall, canteen, medical other compliance issues are met. In other words, it's

centre… Where? Arrows and maps will help users find important to make sure all of your signage is compliant

their way. How? How can I get there ie. walk, drive, cross, before it is ordered and installed – Signs & Lines provide

stairs, ramps etc. this advice during our consultations with you and will

ensure your education facility meets all the legal

Building & Room ID Signage requirements.

Finding your way to the destination is all very well, but in Amenities Signagelarge campus or college environments where there are

hundreds of rooms and corridors on multi-levels, clear and Directional signs will be needed to guide the students to

consistent signage labelling rooms and buildings is vital. restrooms, the canteen, the medical centre etc. This type

Ideally the format, style, size and branding of this signage of signage may be in the form of arrows along the walls or

should be consistent throughout – accommodating colour floor markers. Why not make it fun? We know that

or icons to assist the visual cues. Many schools we have children especially relate to things that are visually

worked in have compartmentalised buildings or zones stimulating and create a sense of fun. Signage does not

using colours, for example the Architecture building and have to be boring! Our creative team can design a suite

rooms would be colour coded blue and the Environmental of signage to engage with your audience – both big and

Science department colour coded green. small.

Not all of the signs subject to change need to be high-

tech. For instance, we work with many schools that select

interchangeable products that will allow them to insert

updated names on the room signage. Custom

architectural sign suites are highly popular – be sure to

contact us for details and examples of those that may suit

your school or campus.

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How to Engage with a Young Audience?

Digital signage is becoming a key way to engage As with any marketing, you have to think about the with the younger audience. 'What we refer to as audience and choose your sign strategies dynamic signage will be key to schools in the accordingly.future”, outlines Tim Webb from Yap!digital, “today's

youngsters are so used to technology that they will For instance, different types of signage are needed expect to see information displayed in a bright, for high and low traffic areas. In a busy campus exciting format that incorporates everything they foyer, signage needs to be clear and stand out from see on their ipads, phones and laptops”. Signs & the clutter of other posters, bulletin boards etc. Lines have recently introduced digital signage at a

number of education facilities in WA and beyond The colour of the signage is also important. Try to and see this as a key area of investment for schools co-ordinate the sign colours to coordinate in an in the near future. Feel free to talk to Tim about overall balanced and pleasing aesthetic effect. these projects.Similarly, tie the signage into the school brand

colours and aim to harmonise the overall scheme.

"Brand is extremely important," explains Mark

Simmonds, Sales Rep at Signs & Lines. "You

should aim to achieve a balance of floor decals all

of the way to the large pylon and building signage,

especially in the main auditorium."

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Signs designed for Education

At a glance, the following projects are all examples of

internal and external signage in schools, colleges,

universities and early learning centres – see

photographic examples throughout this Case Study.

- Atlantis Beach Baptist College - pylons

- St Mary MacKillop College – building, wayfinding

& regulatory signage

- Scotch College – directional pylon signs

- Kennedy Baptist College – building signage

- St Brigid's College – entry statements

- University of Adelaide – interactive digital kiosks

- Murdoch University campus signage – wayfinding,

map, carpark & door signage

- UWA – Campus, building, wayfinding, theatre,

door & map signage

- Central Institute of Technology – wayfinding, pylon,

building & statutory signage

- Atwell College – exterior signage

- Woodvale SHS – exterior signage

- Watercorp Early Learning Centre

- Ashdale Early Learning Centre

- UWA Early Learning Centre

Whether it be an early learning centre, a school or university campus, the need for a fabulous, yet functional, signage strategy is obvious. If you need inspiration, design assistance or help managing a new education related signage project, the team at Signs & Lines and Yap!digital can take your project from drab to fab! Our service includes preparing designs to show how to make the most of your signage, with the benefit of our team of signage pro's to guide you every step of the way.

Talk to the team today:

MARK SIMMONDS mark@signsandlines.comM: 0407 199 576

TIM WEBB tim@signsandlines.com tim@yapdigital.com.auM: 0407 775 031

Ph: (08) 9274 5151

www.signsandlines.com www.yapdigital.com.au

C A S E S T U D Y

Signage for Schools & Education Facilities